Evaluation of Occupational Therapy and Music Therapy Co-Treatment in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Aims: To examine co-treatment with music therapy and occupational therapy with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used to study the effect of standard care occupational therapy (SCOT) vs co-treatment with music therapy (Co-Tx) on behavioral state and physiologic measures. 46 participants were enrolled in the study. Interventions were implemented in approximately 20-minute sessions. Physiologic measures, heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2), were collected using Sickbay. Behavioral measures were collected using The Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) Pain Assessment Tool.

Results: Mean heartrates during Co-Tx (161.3 ± 15.4 BPM) did not differ significantly compared to SCOT (161.8 ± 15.7 BPM). In unadjusted comparisons, mean SpO2 levels were significantly higher during Co-Tx than SCOT (95.48 ± 3.43% vs. 95.12 ± 3.71%, p = 0.046). There was a significant decrease in pre- to post-test FLACC scores for Co-Tx when compared to SCOT (decrease of 0.97 ± 1.96 vs. 0.61 ± 1.65, p = 0.023). In adjusted comparisons, there were no statistically significant differences in physiological outcomes.

Conclusions: Co-treatment with music therapy may create a more stable and regulated environment for NICU infants. Further research is recommended on music therapy co-treatment with rehabilitative therapies.

Keywords: Interdisciplinary collaboration; music therapy; occupational therapy; pediatrics; rehabilitation.